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HISTORY 



FIGHT AT CONCORD. 



SECOND EDITION. 






i 



HIS T O R Y 



FIGHT AT CONCORD, 



19-^" OF APRIL, 1775. 



WITH A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE MILITARY OPERATIONS AND 
INTERESTING EVENTS OF THAT EVER MEMORABLE DAT; 
SHOWING THAT THEN AND THERE 

THE FIRST REGULAR AND FORCIBLE RESISTANCE 

WAS MADE TO THE BRITISH SOLDIERY, AND THE FIRST BRITISH BLOOD WAS 

SHED BY ARMED AMERICANS, AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 

THUS COMMENCED. 



By THE Rev. EZRA RIPLEY, u.d., 

WITH OTHER CITIZENS OF CONCORD. 



SECOND EDITION. 



CONCORD: 

PUBLISHED BY HERMAN ATWILL. 

1832. 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1832, 
by Herman Atwill, 

in the Clerk's Office of tlic District Court of tlie District of Massachusetts. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It may be thought singukr, that, at this late period, a particular account 
of tlie Fight at Concord, on the memorable 19th of April, 1775, should now 
for the first time make its appearance. Some apology may be thought due 
to the public for neglecting so long a matter of acknowledged importance, 
which, we apprehend, will be manifest in the following statement. 

During nearly half a century, it was, as we supposed, the universal belief 
that the first regular and forcible resistance to the invading British soldiers 
was made a.t Concord JVorth Bridge; — that there the fire of the British 
•was first returned hy the Americans ; — that there the first British blood 
was shed ; and of course that there commenced the war that terminated in 
the Independence of the United States. We had no idea that any persons 
ever would or could seriously entertain a different opinion. We had suppos- 
ed that public records, numerous historical sketches, and common consent 
were sufficient to perpetuate material facts and prominent characters. 
When, therefore, the "History of the Battle of Lexington " appeared, in 
1825, we were surprised. Nothing could have been more unexpected. 
That pamphlet has made impressions on the minds of many, unfavorable, 
in some respects, as we believe, to the truth, and to some worthy and patri- 
otic characters. The same causes which originated these errors, have 
given rise to opinions and publications in Great Britain and the United 
States equally erroneous. A large portion of the people do not possess the 
means of better information ; and those who do, have been unwilling to 
come forward in a controversy very unpleasant and attended with many 
difficulties. 

A writer, however, over the signature of Middlesex, in 1826, took up the 
subject in the "Yeoman's Gazette," and pointed out the fallacy of the state- 
ments and claims of that " History " in respect to the returning of the fire of 
the British. We thought he fairly settled tlie question in favor of Concord. 
Yet nothing like retraction or concession, on the part of the citizens of 
Lexington, has come to our knowledge. We therefore feel ourselves obli- 
gated, and in a measure pledged, to pursue the subject, and to publish the 
following history. 

In the full belief that some of the statements in the history of Major Phin- 
ney are erroneoas and unjust, we deem it expedient, and doing justice to 
ourselves, to our fathers, and to the community, to appeal to the public, and 
to set forth a true history of facts, a faithful and minute account of the 
events of that interesting day, and the conduct of the military companies 
and volunteer citizens assembled on that trying occasion. 

We feel our obligations to the generations yet to come, to transmit to 
them, as far as possible, a fair and correct statement of facts respecting 
those events and transactions, the happy or unhappy consequences of which 
will descend to them and their successors. 

While we are desirous of discharging this duty to posterity, we cannot 
but deeply regret, that, in an affair of such magnitude and common interest, 



as is the commencement of tlic American revolutionary war, such contra- 
dictory opinions and opposite claims slioiild have arisen as cannot be recon- 
ciled with the truth of facts, and wliich, if permitted to continue unrectified, 
niMsl re ndiT the jmiji-s of future history douhtful and erroneous. 

Unhap|)y for us that eflVctual barriers ajjainst errors of this kind were not 
earlier erected. We very luurh regret tliat accurate records of the events 
and transactions of the IJlth of .April. 'Tri, at Concord, were not made at 
the time, and carefully preserved. This mii:hl have prevented those errors 
and misrepresentatioHs of which we now couiplain. Some minutes indeed 
were made in after years, — some facts were noted, and many are remem- 
bered by livinff witnesses. We believe, therefore, it is yet in our power to 
vindi'-ate and establish the truth on the subject under consideration. 

We have no objections to the historical account piven by Major Phinney 
of the march of the lirili.ih troops from Boston to liexintrton, their outra- 
geous bi'iiaviour while there. iS^c, e.vcept so far as relates to the rrluniing 
of the tire of the British. This we luean to controvert, and to show l)y 
testimony and evidence that cannot be resisted nor rationally disputed, that 
the inhabitants of Ijexinjrton, very recently, have made an unjust claim 
upon the public fiiitli ; — that they have appropriated to themselves facta 
and honors to which they had no riffht, and have therel)y attempted to wrest 
from the inhabitants of Concord and adj icent towns, the legitimate honors 
which their brave and patriotic fathers achieved and be<pieathed to them. 

Situated as we now are, at this late period, were ire on/i/ concerned, we 
miaht still be silent. But when wu consider the iinpt)rtancc of a just re- 
presentatiim of facts in a case of this kind, — the interests of our conunon 
country in the matter at issue, — the memory and reputation of our revered 
and heroic fathers, — we do not feel ourselves at liberty to be inactive. The 
blood of our patriotic fathers, and the voice of our beloved country, seem 
imperiously to demand of us a fair, unvarnished statement of facts respect- 
ing: the /iirftl at Concord. And this shall be our endeavour without evasion 
or false coloringr. 

It may be added, that the nations of the earth are interested in the 
American revolution ; and they have a rijjht to know from us the lime, place, 
and circumstimres, of the actual commencement of a war of sucli vast con- 
Beqiiences. It is our aim to irive them correct information. 

Those who may read the followinsr narrative may be desirous of finding 
in it a jrcneral and corrcnt view of the proirrcss of the lirilish from the 
time of their leavin^r Bo-:lon, till they returned to Charlestown heicjhts ; and 
also of the opposini,' and pursuintr Wmfnc^ns. It may be desirable also to 
know some of the previous nif'nsiires of the Conj^ress of the then colony 
of .Massachusetts. Such a view we purpose to {jve, and in doinj this we 
shall avail onrselve's of the history of Maj^r Phinney, where we Hud it cor- 
rect, trrntefully acknowledjrinfr the savinjj of labor to ourselves, and giving 
credit for any assistance that may thereby be afforded. 



HISTORY. 



It is well known that the arbitrary and oppressive acts and 
measures of the King and Parliament of Great Britain were the 
causes which led to the revolutionary war, and to a final separa- 
tion between the United States and the mother country. There 
are extant so many I'ecords and historical accounts of this matter, 
whfch are accessible to all classes of people, that it is deemed 
unnecessary, in this place, to go into any detail of facts and pro- 
ceedings of that period, farther than simply to introduce the main 
objects of this publication. 

We begin, therefore, with some account of the Provincial Con- 
gress and their proceedings, which will show somewhat the state 
of public affairs at that time, and the measures adopted by the 
Americans and the British immediately preceding the bloody con- 
flict on the 19th of April, '75. 

Public affairs wore so alarming an aspect in the year 1774, 
that before the dissolution of the General Court in the spring, a 
Congress of Delegates from the several towns in the province 
was agreed upon. To this Congress the town of Concord sent 
three,* the county of Middlesex seventy-four, and the rest of 
the State, including what is now the state of Maine, two hundred 
members. The first meeting of the Congress took place at Salem, 
on the 12th of October, 1774, when they chose the Hon. John 
Hancock, chairman, and Mr. Benjamin Lincoln, clerk ; and im- 
mediately adjourned to Concord. On the 15th the Congress 
was organized by choosing the chairman and clerk, President 
and Secretary. They held their meetings in the church. Two 
sessions, one at 9 o'clock, A. M., and the other at 3 o'clook, 
P. M., were held each day. The Rev. Mr. Emerson, then 

* Col. James Barrett, Mr. Samuel Whitney, and Mr. Ephraim Wood, Jr. 
At the two succeeduig Congresses, Colonel Barrett only was chosen. 



minister of Concord, officiated as Chaplain. The session was 
continued a e;reat ))art of the time in secret, till the '29th of the 
same month. Their proceedings were marked with great 
harmony, vigilance, and energy. One of their first acts was, to 
address the Governor on the state of their grievances ; hut not 
receiving a satisfactory answer, a conunittee for the safety and 
defence of the province, another to prepare a plan for regulating 
the militia, and another to estimate the munitions of war that 
were needed hy the province, were chosen. The ujilitia was in 
part organized, and some general officers were appointed. Capt. 
James Barrett, at that lime, was j)romoted to he Colonel. On the 
29th, Congress adjourned to the iiM of IVovembor following. 
They met again according to adjournment, and continued their 
spirited proceedings till the lOth of December. 

During this session, after, repeated and fruitless attempts to 
promote reconciliation, on fair terms, with Governor Gage, a large 
quantity of niilitary stores and provisions was ordered to be col- 
lected and deposited at Concord. 

On the 10th of December the first Provincial Congress recom- 
mended that a new Congress be chosen, to assemble at Cam- 
bridge, on the 1st of February, 1775, and dissolved. 

The new Congress, which met at Cambridge on the 1st of 
February, was not so numerous as the one previous. There were 
forty from Middlesex, and from other counties in proportion. 
Tliey continued in session until the KUh, and on that day ad- 
journed to meet at Concord on the 22d of i\Iarch. 

Congress met at Concord according to adjournment, and con- 
tinued a laborious and important session till the 15th of April, 
when they adjourned, to meet at the same })lace on the lOth of 
May, ujilcss soonvr called together. The Committee of Safety, 
chosen at the first Congress, were in session during the recess, 
and it was made the duty of the members in Cambridge and the 
virinitv, to call an earlier meeting, if necessary. In conse{]uence 
of the events of the 19ih of April, notice was given by the mem- 
bers in Cambridge, and a meeting of a few members was sudden- 
ly called at Concord, on the '2'2i\ of April, when Richard Devens, 
Esq. of Charlc^town was chosen rhairman, and John Murray, 
clerk,* and immediately adjourned to Wateriown. At this ses- 

* We bflievo this person to bo t)ic Rev. Jolm Murray, n Prosl»ytcriati 
minister of Ncwburyport, who wa« sent as a ddcgHlo to the Congresa. 



sion a committee of nine persons was chosen to take depositions 
respecting the affair at Lexington on the 19th ; of which com- 
mittee were Colonel James Barrett of Concord, and Deacon Jonas 
Stone of Lexington, who were also members of the Congress. 
There was also another committee appointed to draw up a narra- 
tive of the whole of the events of that day. Joseph Warren, Esq. 
occasionally presided in this Congress, the Honorable John Han- 
cock having been previously chosen a representative in the 
Continental Congress at Philadelphia.* 

From the foregoing statements the reason is obvious why Con- 
cord was selected as a place of deposit for the Provincial mili- 
tary stores, and why the expedition of the British troops to that 
place was undertaken. 

"In the afternoon of the 18th," says the history of Major 
Phinney, " General Gage sent out a number of his officers, a 
part of them through Roxbury, and a part over the ferry through 
Charlestown, to reconnoitre and watch the movements of the 
people, and, at a proper time, to seize and detain all persons 
on the road whom they might suspect of being engaged in 
carrying intelligence of the intended march of his troops to 
Concord. Solomon Brown of Lexington, who had been to mar- 
ket at Boston on the 18th, returned late in the afternoon, and 
informed Colonel William Munroe, then an orderly sergeant 
of the militia company, that he had seen nine British officers, dress- 
ed in blue great coats, passing leisurely up the road, sometimes 
before and sometimes behind him, armed, as he had discovered 
by the occasional blowing aside of their great coats. Munroe, 
suspecting their intention was to seize Hancock and Adams, im- 
mediately collected a guard of eight men, well armed and equip- 
ped, and placed them, with himself at their head, at the house 
of Mr. Clark, which was about a quarter of a mile from the main 
road leading to Concord. The Committee of Safety, then in ses- 
sion in the westerly part of Cambridge, also sent information to 
Hancock and Adams of the approach of these officers. They 

* The above Congress, continuing in session but a short time, dissolved, 
and a third and last Congress was chosen, composed principally of the 
members of the second Congress, and met at Watertown on the 31st of 
May. Chose Joseph Warren, Esq. President, and Mr. Samuel Freeman, 
Secretary, and continued the session to the 13th of July, when they dissol- 
ved. A " General Court," chosen according to the colony charter, assem- 
bled in August. 



8 

passed through town early in the evening on the road to Concord. 
After some consultation, it was concluded by the persons present 
to send three ol' their number, Saunders, lJrown,and Loring, to- 
ward Concord, to watch the British officers, and endeavour to 
ascertain and i^ive information of their movements. In the bor- 
ders of Lincoln the whole three were taken prisoners by the Brit- 
ish officers. During the time they held our men in custody, they 
took two other prisoners, Colonel Paul Revere, and one Allen, 
a pedlar," whose hands were crippled and distorted. " Shortly 
after, they released Allen. They also attempted to stop a young 
man, by the name of Prescott, belonging to Concord ; but, being 
well mounted, he turned from the road into the Geld, and putting 
spurs to his horse, escaped. Several of the officers pursued, 
but could not overtake him." 

"At about 10 o'clock in the evening of the 18th, a detach- 
ment of British troops, consisting of grenadiers and light infant- 
ry, in all about eight hundred, embarked from Boston in boats, 
and landed at Lechmere Point in Cambridge, just as the moon 
rose. To prevent discovery they look a by-path leading to the 
main road, which obliged them to wade through marshy places 
and water to a considerable depth." 

Governor Gage, by posting sentinels, endeavoured to prevent 
the carrying intelligence of the embarkation of the troops into 
the country. But nothing of the kind could escape the notice 
of the vigilant anil active General Warren and his compatriots. 
Colonel Revere and a Mr. Lincoln had been seasonably sent out 
of Boston, to give information to Hancock and Adams, and to 
others, of the movement of the British troops, and what might 
be expected. Revere and Ijincoln, one through Charlestown, 
the other through Ro\bury, met at Lexington. " They both 
brought written communications from General Warren, that a large 
body of the king's troops (supposed to be a brigade of twelve or 
fifteen hundred men) had embarked in boats, and gone over to 
Lechmere Point, and it was suspected they were ordered to 
.seize and destroy the stores belonging to the colony, then de- 
posited at Concord. The march of the British troops was si- 
lent and rapid." A little before 5 o'clock, A. M. they arrived 
at Lexington, near the meeting-house, and in sight of the militia 
there collected. And there, for the present, we leave them, 
and the horrid massacre they j)erpetrated, and pa.sson to the en- 
trance of the British into Concord and the scenes that followed. 



Nothing very interesting occurred in the march of the British 
from Lexington to Concord. IntelHgence had been given by 
Mr. Samuel Prescott, who had passed the evening at Lexington, 
and had seen and escaped the British officers on the road, as 
abovementioned, that the British troops were on the way, and 
supposed to be destined to this place, for the purpose of de- 
stroying public and military stores ; which intelligence was con- 
firmed by others who were passing the road, and particularly by 
Mr. Reuben Brown of Concord, who had been sent to Lexing- 
ton on purpose to ascertain the truth of the case. 

About 1 o'clock in the morning of the 19th, the bell in Con- 
cord was rung, which was to be the signal of alarm. The inhabi- 
tants of the town hastily collected, and the minute companies 
and militia, with patriotic ardor, expeditiously formed on the 
usual parade before the meeting-house. Several men now liv- 
ing, who were then in the military companies, are of opinion that 
there were two hundred men* in arms that day, belonging to 
Concord. A considerable number of them were ordered to as- 
sist the citizens who were actively engaged in removing and se- 
creting cannon, military stores, and provisions. The cannon 
were nearly all conveyed to a distance, some to adjacent towns, 
and some were buried in the ground, and some under heaps of 
manure. 

The minute company of Lincoln, commanded by Capt. Wil- 
liam Smith and Lieut. Samuel Hoar, long since the Hon. Sam- 
uel Hoar ; and the militia company commanded by Capt. Sam- 
uel Farrar, now living, and many years a deacon, assembled on 
the common with those of Concord. Withothers from that town 
was the late Col. Abijah Pierce, then a INIajor in a regiment in 
that section of the county. These companies of Concord and 
Lincoln marched down the road towards Lexington, till they 
saw the British advancing within two miles of the centre of the 
town. Mr. James Baker, then of Lincoln, a minute-man, and 
engaged all day, still Hves and recollects the events and trans- 
actions here narrated. 

One reason for the early assembling of the companies of Lin- 
coln was, that they received the first information of the British 
by Mr. Prescott, who, in escaping the British officers, turned his 

* We have the names of one hundred volunteer minute-men who were 
enrolled that day, besides the militia. 
2 



• 10 

course through Lincohi. It may not be amiss to observe that, 
in every town where minute companies were organized, they 
feh themselves specially oltlif^cd to he well armed, and to ap- 
pear on parade as soon as possible, at the first notice of danger 
from the lJriti>h soldiery ; beine; voluntarily and by recommen- 
dation of the j;eiieral Conuuittee of Safety formed into compa- 
nies and regiments for this purpose. On this account, we find 
these companies with their oflicers more forward and conspicu- 
ous than the militia. This was their duty ; and their being in 
front, where danger was the greatest, implies no want of patri- 
otism or zeal in the militia oflicers or companies. 

The oflicers of the regiment of minute-men in and about 
Concord, now remembered, were Col. James Barrett, Lieut. 
Col. Ezekic'l Howe of Sudbury, ^Fajor John Buttrick and 
Captains David Brown and Charles Miles of Coiuord, Capt. 
Isaac Davis and Lieuts. .). Il:i\\\ai(l and .lolni lieiihl of Acton, 
and Adjutant Joseph llosmer, late the Hon. Joseph llosmer, 
who magnified his oflice by his activity and zeal, and animated 
the spirits of his fellow-soldiers by his patriotic address. Other 
oflicers and |)rivate citizens of influence, contributed, by their 
exhortations and example, to invigorate and direct the spirits 
and courage of the people. Capt. Nathan Barrett, late Colonel, 
commanded the militia company of Concord, and marched next 
to the minute companies, when liie fight commenced. Several 
of this company are now living. 

When the alarm-bell was heard, the Rev. Mr. Emerson, the 
clergyman of the town, turned out with his people, lie was a 
zealous patriot, and entered warmly into the cause of his coun- 
try. He encouraged the people collected, and administered 
counsel and comfort to the distressed and flying women and 
children. Tiie next year he went as'Chaplain in the northern 
army, and died of sickness on his way home. 

That night was a time of great anxiety, and big with doubtful 
and interesting expectations. The novelty of the scene, the 
distress of some, the ardor of others, tlie nncniainty of the 
events, and the unknown c(jnse(|uences that must follow, all 
conspired to render those few hours extremely anxious and 
painful. 

Col. James Barr(Ht had the command of the military com- 
panies, and also of the superintendence of all the public stores, 



11 

by the appointment of Congress.* He rode from place to place, 
giving directions to soldiers and citizens as circumstances re- 
quired. Great confidence was reposed in him, both by his fel- 
low-citizens and the Provincial Congress. 

The military companies which had marched eastward in sight 
of the approaching enemy, finding they were in number far 
inferior to the British, returned, most of them on the hill, north 
of the road. And when they came to the west end by the road 
leading to the north bridge. Col. Barrett addressed them in a 
firm, feeling, and serious manner. He reminded them of the 
danger to which they were exposed, and cautioned them not to 
be careless, or needlessly expose themselves ; but to be cool 
and firm, and to conduct like considerate and judicious men and 
patriots. He charged them not to fire, unless the British should 
first fire on them. Perceiving that the British had entered the 
village, and were very near them, and that his men were too 
few to make a stand, he ordered them to march over the noi'th 
bridge, and take a position on a hill about one mile to the north 
of the meeting-house, and there to wait for accessions to their 
numbers, and for further orders. Nor did they wait in vain. 
Armed men from adjacent towns hastened to this place of gen- 
eral rendezvous. A considerable number of the minute and 
militia companies of Bedford were seasonably on the ground. 
The former was commanded by Capt. Jonathan Wilson, the 
latter by Capt. John Moore. Capt. Wilson was killed in Lincoln, 
by the flank guard of the enemy. Two of the company of 
Capt. Wilson, who were with him, are now living, viz. Captains 
Christopher Page and David Reed, and retain a lively remem- 
brance of the novel and tragical scenes of that day. Numbers 
from Carlisle, Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton, and Acton, 
augmented the military force. A company from Westford had 
just entered the bounds of Concord when the fight took place. 
But individuals of that town were present and engaged in the 
battle, among whom was the brave Col. Robinson. A company 
from Sudbury commanded by Capt. Nixon, afterwards a general 
in the Continental army, were stopped about half a mile from 



* Here let it be noted, that in tlie numbers of " Middlesex," published in 
1826, in the Yeoman's Gazette, there are several errors respecting men and 
circumstances, which are here rectified ; more accurate information having 
been obtained. 



1-2 

the south bridge, by a messcns;er, Mr. Stephen Barrett, son of 
the Colonel, and informed that the south bridge was taken up 
and guarded by the British, and that they must march round to 
the north bridge. In this route they had to pass by Col. Bar- 
rett's, where the British were then actually destroying public 
property. The company halted near the British, and Lieut. 
Col. Howe, anxious to join his regiment, concealed his sword 
under his coat, and pretending business, obtained leave of the 
British officer commanding that party, to pass unmolested. He 
had gone but a little way, when the firing at the bridge was 
heard, on which he turned back, offering a reason for not pro- 
ceeding; and, receiving an angry threat from the officer, rejoined 
the Sudbury company,* and pursued the enemy in their retreat 
from Concord. Col. Jonathan Rice of Sudbury, now living, 
then a lieutenant in that company, correctly remembers and 
relates these things. A Mr. Plimpton of the same town, now 
alive, is a witness to the same facts. Two companies from 
Slow, commanded by Captains Hapgood and Whitcomb, marched 
for Concord at \'2 o'clock, passed the north bridge, and arrived 
at Cambridge at sunset. 

We now advert to the British troops, who entered the centre 
of the town in two divisions; one in the main road, and the other 
on the hill which is north of the road, and from which the armed 
Americans had just retired. Their first act of violence was to 
cut down the liberty pole, which afterwards they burnt with the 
carnages of the cannon and other public property. 

Immediately after entering the village, six companies, under 
Captains Parsons and Lowrie, were sent to the north bridge, 
and a party to the south bridge under Captain Pole. Their 
object was, doubtless, to prevent the entrance of people into 
the town, while they were carrying on the work of destruction 
which they had hastily commenced. Public; stores and imple- 
ments of war being deposited at Colonel Barrett's, three com- 
panies, commanded by Capt. Parsons, marched over the bridge, 
and on to Col, Barrett's. It is highly probable that they meant 



* In tliiit compniiy wns ii Deacon Josinh Iliiynos, fO yp!irn of age. He 
was urgent lo ullui-k Uie Briti-h at the south briilye, to ilislodijc them, and 
munh into the villiii,'C. This is a spei-inien of the spirit and feelings of the 
people. He pursued with ardor to Lexington, and Uiere was killed by a 
muskct-ball. 



13 

to take the Colonel and cany him a prisoner to Boston ; for he 
was known by Governor Gage and the royal party to be a pub- 
lic officer and an influential character in the cause of liberty. 

After the military companies had taken a stand on the hill, as 
above mentioned, Colonel Barrett immediately rode home, gave 
directions to his family, and left them without telling them 
where he was going. Apprehensive that the British would 
seize him, if they had an opportunity, he took a back way, and 
returned to his brethren in arms. By this method he avoided 
meeting th-e British, and his family could give them no account 
of him. 

The British troops were very expeditious in destroying all the 
public stores they could find. A considerable quantity of flour 
was stored in the malt-house of Mr, Ebenezer Hubbard. They 
beat off" the boards of one end of the house, rolled down the 
barrels, dashed them in pieces, and scattered the flour in the 
street. At a store-house of Capt. Timothy Wheeler, there was 
also a quantity of flour, which was saved by the following arti- 
fice. By the side of the barrels two bags of meal were placed, 
which were the property of Capt. Wheeler. The British were 
about to break open the store, but Capt. Wheeler readily produc- 
ed the key and opened the door. On being sternly interrogated, 
whether that flour was public property, Capt. Wheeler, stand- 
ing by the bags, replied, " Gentlemen, I am a miller, and de- 
clare to you, that every gill of this is mine," at the same in- 
stant striking his hand on the bags of meal. Upon this they 
left him in quiet possession of the whole quantity of flour. At 
a grist-mill near by, a number of barrels were found, which they 
threw into the mill-pond ; a part of which was saved afterwards, 
though considerably damaged. About this time, the British 
set fire to the court-house, which was near to a number of build- 
ings, and among them the house of widow Moulton. On see- 
ing the fire, she ran out and remonstrated, and obtained both a 
hearing and assistance to bring water and extinguish the fire. 

While in the village, the British seized and abused several 
persons, aged men, who were not armed. Among them was 
Dea. Thomas Barrett, brother of the Colonel. In his buildings 
there was a gun-factory, carried on by his son, Mr. Samuel Bar- 
rett, and men employed by him. The Deacon was a man noted 
for his piety and goodness, and for his mildness of disposition. 



1 1 

Not appearing terrified or insulting, he began seriously to re- 
monstrate against tlieir ^i()k'nce, and the unkind treatment 
of the mother country against her colonies. When they threat- 
ened to kill him as a rebel, he calmly said, they would do bet- 
ter to save themselves that trouble, for he was old and should 
soon die of himself L poji which they replied, '' Well, old 
daddv. you may go in peace.'' 

Hy the time the British had collected, burnt, and otherwise de- 
stroyed the carriages of caimon, public stores, and the liberty pole, 
and had spiked several cannon which they found, and thrown can- 
non-balls into the mill-pond, the firing look j)lace at the ni)rth 
bridge, which immediately drew their anxious attention to that 
quarter. 

The British troops, wliicli went on to Colonel Barrett's, 
found and burnt a number of carriages for cannon, and other 
implements of war. The soldiers were hungry and thirsty; and 
here, as at other places in town, when disbanded, they request- 
ed supplies. The officers very politely offered to pay Mrs. 
Barrett for victuals and drink, but she refused pay, saying, " We 
are commanded to feed our enemy, if he hunger." They as- 
sured her of good treatment, but said they must search her 
house and should destroy public stores. INIrs. Barrett had con- 
cealed the small articles that belong to cannon, with musket 
balls, flints, cutlasses, &,c., in casks in the garret, and had put 
over them a quantity of feathers which prevented discovery. 
On seeing a son of Colonel JJarrett, the officers demanded his 
name. Being answered, Barrett, they called him a rebel, and 
taking hold of him, said, " You must go to Boston with us." 
Mrs. Barrett spoke and said, " He is my son, and not the master 
of the house." Upon this they released him. vVnotlier son 
was there, vi/. the late James J?arrett, Esq., but. being lame 
and inactive at that time, did not so much attract their attention. 
They were about to burn the (le\oted articles, carriages, &tc. 
so near to tlie barn as to endanger it. Observing this, Mrs. Bar- 
rett went out to them, and reminded the officers of their prom- 
ise not to injure private property. They jiromptly ordered the 
articles to be carried into the street, where they were consumed. 

The party of regulars at the north bridge were, for a little 
time, dispersed about ; and sf)me of them went into the houses 
that were near, and j)rocured food and drink, which were gen- 
erally given them from fear, if not from kindness. 



15 

In the mean time, the number of armed Americans was aug- 
mented, and they had marched to the high land near the north 
bridge, at the northwest of it. From this station, the centre of 
the town was in fair view, and the British at the bridge were 
before their eyes and within gunshot. Here the mihtary com- 
panies formed ; and when in this position, Captain Davis of Ac- 
ton arrived, and brought on his company ; and passing by the 
other companies, took the right of the whole, which placed 
him nearest the bridge, and in front, when they marched to- 
wards the enemy. 

About four hundred and fifty armed men being collected, the 
military officers then present, with some respectable volunteers 
and citizens, having confidence in the patriotism and courage of 
the men in arms, and trusting in Divine Providence, there held 
a Council ofivar, — a council the most interesting and pregnant 
with events, perhaps, that ever was held. It was not indeed 
precisely according to the rules of a regular army ; — it was a 
council composed of military officers, volunteers, and citizens, 
the proprietors of the soil, the substantial yeomanry of the then 
Province. That council, with minds and hearts full of the 
great occasion of assembling, having directly before them a body 
of British soldiers, at the bridge, stationed there to oppose their 
entrance into their own village ; know^ing that a detachment of 
regulars had gone over the bridge to Colonel Barrett's, where 
public stores were deposited ; not having heard that blood was 
shed at Lexington, but only that there had been firing ; seeing 
the smoke rising in the centre of the town, and the proud ban- 
ners of the invading troops of the mother country there waving; 
the women and children either flying, or in a state of terror and 
anguish not easily described ; feeling that it was a case of ex- 
tremity, a question of life or death, of freedom or slavery; and 
conscious that the halter would follow ineffectual resistance ; in 
that solemn and appalling situation, enough to " try men's souls " ; 
that council of sober, intelligent, high-minded patriots consult, 
ed,?determined, Sindresolved to live free or die, — resolved " to 
march into the middle of the town for its defence, or die in the 
attemjjt.'' * — They resolved also, that they would do no violence, 
unless violently opposed ; that not a gun should be fired by an 

* Major Euttrick and Captain Davis used this expression, as numbers tes- 
tify ; — an expression, which many thought and acted out. 



16 

American, unless fired upon by the British. — They acted upon 
principle, and in the fear of God. — Captain Miles, afterwards, 
said to one of us, that " he went to the services of the day with 
the same seriousness and acknowled2;ment of God which he 
carried to church." And we have no doubt, he expressed the 
sentiments and feelings of many who were engaged in the bloody 
scenes of that memorable day. Indeed it was a sentiment that 
pervaded the great body of the people. The haj)py etFects and 
vast consequences of their IhkIi and noble resolution, are be- 
yond all calculation. There the sentiments antl feelings of the 
people were brought to a point, — the point offorcihle resistance. 
Their minds had been long agitated and their feelings insulted. 
They had marked the o|)pressive measures of Great Britain, 
and now saw violence and destruction actually begun by her 
troops. Forbearance was no longer a virtue. The moment had 
arrived, — the die must be cast, — and they came to a glorious de- 
cision. To that result we may trace not only the American 
revolution, but the existence and progress of civil liberty and 
national freedoVn in various parts of the world. Where that 
great council was held, the spot, the site of ground, appears to 
us little less than holy, and really consecrated by Heaven to the 
cause of liberty and the rights of man. And, we trust, it will 
never cease to remind succeeding generations of what their 
fathers bravely resolved and achieved, and what the Almighty 
wonderfully performed for them and their posterity. When the 
scenes of that day, and the situation of the principal actors are 
distinctly recollected, we admire and venerate the character 
and conduct of those patriots, and we delight to honor and per- 
petuate their memory. 

It is impossible, at this period, to do impartial justice to all 
the officers, soldiers, and citizens at that time assembled. The 
officers were of course the most known and conspicuous, and 
their names are transmitted to posterity with honor. But there 
were subalterns, privates, and volunteer citizens, whose patriot- 
ism and bravery, on that day of deep interest and high consid- 
eration, covered them with honor, and merit the unceasing grat- 
itude of their country. 

It may gratify the reader to know the geography of the field 
of action before we describe the action itself. From the station 
of the armed Americaos on the high land, the direction of the 



17 

road was southwardly till it met the road leading over the bridge. 
At this point, on the left bank of the river, the road to the 
bridge turned northeasterly, so that the point, or angle of the 
roads, the bridge, and the high land form a triangle of nearly 
equal sides. The course of the river through the town is ser- 
pentine. A few rods above the bridge, the river turns to the 
north, and soon again to the east, about one hundred rods below 
the bridge. 

The Americans being ready and determined to move on to- 
wards the bridge, orders were renewed by the officers not to 
fire nor give any needless provocation, unless fired upon by the 
British ; to w^hich all assented. Colonel Barrett* then gave or- 
ders to march, and directed Major John Buttrick to take the 
command and to lead the companies. He was accompanied by the 
heroic Colonel Robinson, who was a volunteer and belonged to 
a regiment of which the gallant Prescott of Pepperell was first 
Colonel. Captain Davis followed them with his company, then 
Captain David Brown and Captain Charles Miles with their 
companies. Captain Nathan Barrett next followed with his 
militia company. The Captains from Lincoln and Bedford, above 
named, fell in under the direction of Colonel Barrett, who con- 
tinued on horseback, in the rear, giving directions to the armed 
men collecting and momently increasing in number. The pre- 
cise position of every officer and company, and parts of compa- 

* The following is the deposition of Colonel Barrett, given before the 
Committee of the Provincial Congress : — 

Lexington, April 23, 177.5. 

" I, James Barrett, of Concord, Colonel of a regiment of militia in the 
county of Middlesex, do testify and say, that on Wednesday morning last, 
about day-break, I was informed of the approach of a number of the regular 
troops to the town of Concord, where were some magazines belonging to 
tlie Province, and where there was assembled some of the militia of that 
and the neighbouring towns, when I ordered them to march to the north 
bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the king's troops, unless they 
were fired upon. We advanced near said bridge, when the said troops 
fired upon our militia and killed two men upon the spot, and wounded sev- 
eral others, which was the first firing of guns in the town of Concord. My 
detachment then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several of the 
king's troops. 

JAMES BARRETT. 

Sworn to before WILLIAM REED, } 

JOHN HASTINGS, > Justices of the Peace." 
DUNCAN INGRAM, ) 

Colonel Barrett died suddenly April 11, 1779, aged 69. 

3 ' 



18 

nles, cannof now be perfectly kiioAvn. The forward companies 
became more noticeable. 

It may not be amiss to remark that the situation of Major 
Buttrick, as it was more dangerous and important, has gained 
him distinguished celebrity and Iionor. But this ought never to 
operate as an ecli|)se upon any other officer on that occasion. 
There is satisfactory evidence, that on the march to meet the 
enemv, Major Buttrick rc(iucsted Colonel Robinson to act as his 
superior, he being an older man, and of higher rank in another 
regiment. But he modestly declined, and consented to march 
at the right hand and be considered a volunteer. The late Col- 
onel John Buttrick, then a fifcr, repeatedly affirmed that he was 
present and heard the conversation between his father and Col- 
onel Robinson. This is here particularly mentioned, because 
there have been entertained erroneous opinions on tiie subject. 

The Americans commenced their march in double file. The 
British observing their nmtions, hastily formed on the east side 
of the river. When the Americans passed the angle near the 
river, the British began to take up the planks of the bridge ; 
against which Major Buttrick remonstrated in an elevated voice, 
and ordered a quicker step of his soldiers. On this the British 
desisted from injury to the bridge, convinced, no doubt, that 
the Americans were determined and able to pass the bridge. 
At that moment two or three guns, in quick succession, were 
fired into the river on the right of the Americans, who consider- 
ed them as alarm guns, and not aimed at them. In a minute or 
two, the Americans being in quick motion, and within ic7i or fif- 
teen rods of the bridge, a single gun was fired by a British sol- 
dier, which marked its way, passing under Colonel Robinson's 
arm, slightly woundint; the side of Luther Blanchard, a fifer in 
the Acton comjjany. This gun was instantly followed by a 
volley, which killed Captain Davis* and Mr. Hosmer, both of 
the same comj)any. On seeing this, as quickly as possible. Ma- 
jor Buttrick leaped from the ground, and partly turning to his 
men, exclaimed, ^' Fire, fellow-soliliers, for GoiVs sake, fire." 
Mr. Tilly Buttrick, a respectable man now living, stood near the 
Major, and is positive that he distinctly heard the words and saw 



* Captniii Davis wa.s .30 yenra old, niid loll a wife and five children. His 
widow lia.s MJMce boon twice married, ami now lives a widow in Acton. 



19 

the motions of the speaker. He was in front of Captain Brown's 
company. No sooner were the words uttered, than the word 
fire ran like electricity through the whole line of the Americans, 
extending to the high land from whence they had marched ; 
and for a few seconds, the word fire, fire, was heard from hun- 
dreds of mouths. The order of Major Buttrick was instantly 
obeyed. Two of the British were killed and several wounded. 
The firing on each side lasted but a minute or two. The British 
immediately retreated. When the Americans had fired, most of 
the forward companies leaped over a wall on the left and fired 
from behind it. Military order and regularity of proceeding were 
soon after broken up. A part of the Aniericans rushed over the 
bridge, and pursued the British till they saw a large reinforce- 
ment advancing, when they turned to the left, and ascended a 
hill east of the main road ; and a part returned to the high 
ground, conveying and taking care of the dead. 

While the Americans were retiring and scattered on flie heights, 
the British troops which had gone to Colonel Barrett's, returned 
unmolested and joined their main body. When they saw two 
of their fellow-soldiers dead, near the bridge, they appeared to 
be very much alarmed, and ran with great speed. It was a sight 
evidently unexpected to them, and led them to anticipate the 
danger and blood-shed that followed. Their conduct \\?ls ob- 
served by the Rev. Mr. Emerson and his family, who had wit' 
nessed the whole tragical scene from the windows of his house 
near the battle-ground. 

A few minutes after the fight at the bridge, a guard of British 
troops, stationed near the place where they first entered the vil- 
lage, saw a man riding briskly towards them, whom they sharply 
eyed. This man was Mr. Abel Prescott, who had been to give 
intelUgence to the inhabitants of Sudbury, and was returning to 
his father's, the late Doctor Abel Prescott. Perceiving that he 
was watched, and that by pressing forward he should be likely to 
fall into their hands, he turned his horse about, on which they 
fired upon him, and wounded him in one arm. He rode directly 
to the house of Mrs. Heywood, who with her son-in-law, now the 
Honorable Abiel Heywood, and a living witness of this affair, 
quickly attended to his wound. But observing the British ad- 
vancing to the house, Mrs. Heywood, an aged lady, and her son- 
in-law left it, and sought a place of greater safety. — Mr. Prescott 



20 

ran up stairs and concealed Iiiinsclf in a dark place, behind 
the ciiinincy and a dry cask. He heard them searching for him 
and uttering bitter threats, but they did not find him. 

While this party of the enemy were at this house, they observ- 
ed a number of Americans running across lots towards a barn. 
At these men several guns were fired, but without effect. 

Some persons, it is quite possible, may judge these things 
too trivial to be here recorded. But it appears to us that scarce- 
ly any event or circumstance relating to the conduct of the Brit- 
ish or Americans, on that day, can be viewed as uninteresting. 
We wish to place the scenes of the day before the present and 
future generations precisely as they existed. 

After the fight the British hastily collected their scattered par- 
ties, and commenced their retreat nearly at 1'2 o'clock. They 
took a horse and chaise and some blankets from INIr. Reuben 
Brown, to convey, as is believed, a wounded officer, Lieutenant 
Potter. The horse and chaise were left at West Cambridge, 
where the officer was left a prisoner, and received kind attentions 
from a number of American gentlemen. 

The bloody conflict at the bridge being over, and the Ameri- 
cans fatigued and hungry, having had no regular, if any breakfast, 
many of them improved this interval to take refreshment. Mr. 
Thaxter went to the house of the Rev. Mr. Emerson. The for- 
mer gentlemen was then a candidate for the ministry, and late 
the reverend and venerable pastor of a church at Edgarton, Mar- 
tha's Vineyard. He was then preaching at Westford, and accom- 
panied Colonel Robinson that morning, and was an eye-witness 
of the fight, and of the retreat and pursuit. He was an ardent 
patriot, and he lived to realize the happy fruits of patriotic zeal 
and love of hbcrty. 

After a little respite, Colonel Barrett and others rallied and 
encouraged their armed brethren to pursue their retreating ene- 
my.* Being recovered from the shock at first occasioned by the 
novel and bloody scene, they engaged in this service with ardor 
and spirits, heightened by the violence and bloody action they 
had witnessed. Most of the armed Americans took a nearer 
route across the fields, and overtook the enemy as they passed 

* The two British soldiers killcil at the bridge were buried'near the spot 
where they fell, both in ono {jravc. Two rough stones mark the spot where 
they were lai<l. Their names were unknown. Several otliers were buried 
in the middle of the town. 



21 

the road from Bedford. There they met a body of minute-men, 
commanded by Major John Brooks, late Governor, whose Colonel 
was the late General Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, and 
who had previously joined the pursuing Americans. Colonel 
William Thompson of Billerica, with a body of militia from 
that town and vicinity, came up to the contest on the Bedford 
road, a few minutes after Major Brooks, and was brave and 
efficient in pursuit. About this period and place, the company 
from East Sudbury, and individuals in that quarter, came up to the 
attack on the south side of the road. A little below the Bedford 
road, on Merriam's corner, so called, there was a sharp action, 
and several of the British were killed. The enemy faced about 
and made a stand, but soon resumed their march of retreat. The 
late Rev. Edmund Foster, of Littleton, was a volunteer from 
Reading, and accompanied Major Brooks, and was personally and 
warmly engaged in the conflicts of the afternoon. His narrative 
is interesting, and the principal part of it is in the following pages. 
After the action above mentioned, little more was done by 
fighting, until the enemy had reached the high land in Lincoln. 
At that place there was a large bend in the road towards the 
north, and a grove of great trees on the west, and high bushes 
on the east, and stone-walls in every direction. The Americans 
had run singly across the meadows, and concealed themselves be- 
hind the walls and trees. On the east side of the road there were 
many in ambush. In this situation the Americans poured a 
deadly fire upon the British. Near the close of this action, and 
a little farther on, Captain Wilson and a number with him, who 
had taken a stand behind a barn, were killed by the flank-guard 
of the enemy. From this time, there was a general though not 
entire cessation of firing, until the enemy had entered the 
bounds of Lexington, when Captain Parker's company attacked 
the British from the woods on the south of the road. When 
the enemy were rising Fiske's hill in the west part of Lexing- 
ton, they were very hardly pressed, the ^Americans having run 
forward and placed themselves advantageously behind 'trees 
and fences. The British faced about, and a very spirited and 
bloody contest ensued. Here Major Pitcairn was wounded and 



^2^2 

unhorsed: liis horse, pistols, &ic. were lakcn.* Aiihis place a 
considerable number were killed and wounded on both sides, 
bill chiefly on the side of the British. They were more ex- 
posed and more compact ; and it is wonderful that a greater 
number were not killed and wounded. Here we adduce the 
account of the Rev. Mr. Foster, who was present at the place^ 
and personally engaged. This will confirm the preceding nar- 
rative, and substantiate facts in the further retreat of the enemy. 
In a letter to Colonel Daniel Shattuck of Concord, dated, Lit- 
tleton, March 10th, 1825, he wrote as follows; 

''On the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, just at sunrise, 
Alarm (iinis were fired, which were quickly followed by a post 
bringing news, that the Regulars, as they expressed it, had gone 
to Concord. I ran directly to Major IJrooks, late Governor, — 
asked if he were going to Concord, and tvhen. ' Immediately,' 
was the answer. I borrowed accoutrements, and we set off 
together for Concord. The militia company of Reading march- 
ed on at the same time, under the command of Captain Bachel- 
der. We rendezvoused near tlie middle of the town of Bedford ; 
left horses and marched forward in pursuit of the enemy. A 
little before we came to Merriam's hill, we discovered the ene- 
my's flank-guard, of about 80 or 100 men, who, on their retreat 
from Concord, kept that height of land, the main body in the 
road. The British troops and the Americans,! ^^ ^''^^ time, were 
equally distant from Merriam's corner. About twenty rods 
short of that place, the Americans made a halt. The British 
marched down the hill with very slow, but steady step, without 
music or a word being spoken that could be heard. Silence 
reigned on both sides. As soon as the British had gained the 
main road, J and passed a small bridge near that corner, they 
faced about suddenly, and fired a volley of musketry upon us. 
They overshot ; and no one, to my knowledge, was injured by 
the fire. The fire was immediately returned by the Americans, 

• The horso was taken to Concord and sold by auction. Captain Nathan 
Barrftt boii^'lil tin- pistols, and iilU'rwnnlH otTiTi'd thriii to (IfMicral Wash- 
ington, but, he not acceptiufr them, they wen- ffivon to (icneral Putnam. 

t Here he must mean the Americans with Major Brooks, and, perhaps, 
Colonel Thompson. Those in tliu figlit had scarcely arrived, and were west 
of the enemy. 

\ When the large flank-guard had joined the main body in tlie road. 



23 

and two British soldiers fell dead at a little distance from each 
other, in the road near the brook. The battle now began, and 
was carried on with little or no military discipline and order, on 
the part of the Americans, during the remainder of that day. 
Each one sought his own place and opportunity to attack and 
annoy the enemy from behind trees, rocks, fences, and build- 
ings, as seemed most convenient. 

" The enemy retreated and were followed. We saw a wood 
at a distance, which appeared to lie on or near the road the 
enemy must pass. Many leaped over the wall and made for 
that wood. We arrived just in time to meet the enemy. There 
was then, on the opposite side of the road, a young growth of 
wood well filled with Americans. The enemy was now com- 
pletely between two fires, renewed and briskly kept vrp. They 
ordered out a flank-guard on the left to dislodge the Americans 
from their posts behind large trees : but they only became a 
better mark to be shot at. A short but sharp contest ensued, in 
which the enemy received more deadly injury, than at any 
one place from Concord to Charlestown. Eight or more of their 
number were killed on the spot, and, no doubt, many wounded.* 

" The enemy soon retreated under a scattering fire, in which 
one of their musicians fell. About mid-way of the plain in 
Lincoln, they left in the road one of their soldiers badly wound- 
ed. When we had advanced near to Benjamin's tavern, a man 
rode up on horseback, but unarmed. The enemy were then 
passing round the hill just below the tavern. They had posted 
a small body of their troops on the north side of the hill, which 
fired upon us. The horse and his rider fell instantly to the 
ground ; the horse died immediately, but the man received no 
injury. We were quickly at the spot, from which we returned 
the fire. The enemy were then rising and passing over Fiske's 
hill. An officer mounted on an elegant horse, with a drawn 
sword in his hand, was riding backwards and forwards, com- 
manding and urging on the British troops. A number of Amer- 
icans behind a pile of rails, raised their guns and fired with 
deadly effect. The officer fell, and the horse took fright, leaped 
the wall, and ran directly towards those who had killed his 

* This action took place on the old road north of the school-house 
l^elow Patch's tavern. Eight of tliese British soldiers were buried in 
Lincoln burying-ground. 



24 

rider.* The enemy discharged their musketry in ihal direction, 
but their Gre took no effect. 

"At the next house, a Britisli soldier and an American met 
each other suddenly face to face. IJoth j)resfnted their guns 
and fired at the same instant. The fire of both took a deadly 
effect.! In some old buildings beyond Thaddeus Reed's, two 
or three wounded British soldiers were lodged. The fire on the 
enemy now came from all directions. At the bottom of the next 
hill, and near the Lexington almshouse, a British soldier was 
wounfled.'' By Mr. F^oster's account, he saved the life of this 
soldier, and humanely assisted in conveying him and two other 
Britons badly wounded, to Buckman's, now Merriam's tavern, 
where proper care was taken of them. " Now Lord Percy came 
up with a reinforcement of one thousand men and two pieces of 
artillery, united with the troops from Concord, and took post 
on the high grounds a little distant from Colonel Munroe's. Here 
for a while was a cessation of arms, excepting that the British 
occasionally fired their field-pieces on us." The Rev. gentle- 
man goes on to mention a number of facts, too well known to 
need repeating ; such as the burning of several buildings by the 
British — the Americans taking refreshment — the manner in 
which they were supplied by the citizens in the several towns who 
did not bear arms — the passing of a cannon-ball through the 
Lexington church — the beating to arms again — the renewal of 
the retreat of the British, and of the pursuit of the Americans, 
&ic. He relates a feat of his, with two others, very much to his 
credit, in taking a prisoner, who was shot through the body, but 
recovered. He continues : " This transaction put me so far in 
the rear, that though I pursued, I did not come up with the main 
body. After the British forces left Lexington, they were met 
and mostly opposed by men from the lower towns, and some 
from the county of Essex. The company from Danvers, un- 
acquainted with military movements, was caught somewhere in 
West Cambridge, between the flank-guard and the main body of 
the enemy, and lost eight of their number, and several more 
were severely wounded. This transaction I did not witness, 

* We suppose Major Pitcairn was the officer, who waa only wounded, 
having his arrn broken. 

^ Thr Amoriran was Mr. IlRyward of Acton. The Briton had been plun- 
dering, and had juet left the house as Hay ward came upon him. 



25 

but was correctly informed of it. At Snow's, now Davenport's 
tavern in Cambridge, one of the enemy lay dead by the road, 
and directly opposite, one of our best men, Major Gardner, of 
Brookline, was killed, whose death was much lamented. 

" Being now sufficiently weary, I took shelter, (not lodgings, for 
the furniture was all carried oft', ) in Snow's tavern for the night. 

" Though almost half a century has elapsed since these events 
took place, yet my memory has been refreshed with them as of- 
ten as I have passed by the places where the deeds were done, 
and therefore I have now as perfect a knowledge of them as 
though they had been the works of yesterday. 

" With the most ardent wishes for the prosperity of the American 
Independence, which I have lived to see established, and for many 
years have participated in ; and with personal respect for yourself, 
I subscribe, your friend and fellow-citizen, 

EDMUND FOSTER." 

None of the inhabitants of Concord were killed in the pursuit 
of the enemy, and very few were wounded. Captain C. Miles 
was injured in one hand by a musket-ball, and Captain Nathan 
Barrett slightly wounded. 

To substantiate the many facts and circumstances brought to 
view in this narrative, we might adduce many living witnesses ; 
but we deem it unnecessary. We might also avail ourselves of 
this publication, to take a conspicuous stand in respect to patri- 
otic spirit, services, and sacrifices ; and we doubt not our records 
would justify our pretensions. But this might appear ostenta- 
tious in the view of many persons, and like seeking preeminence 
among equals. All the towns in the county deserved well of 
their country, and exhibited their patriotism as occasion required. 
Some old people believe that more hardships were endured, more 
losses sustained, and more sacrifices made in the revolutionary war, 
than the present and succeeding generations will ever fully know 
and appreciate. 

But it is time to return to the distressing scene of blood and 
massacre at Lexington, on the morning of that day, the events of 
which we have been narrating. The circumstances of that hor- 
rid scene will be fully exhibited by numerous testimonies, while 
we shall show that the firing of the British troops on the militia 
company of Lexington was not, that morning, returned by said 
company ; which is one object of this publication. 
4 



26 

>N'e have no ln-siiaiion in expressing our full belief, thai the 
inhabitants of Lexini;ton, on that morning of alarm and novel ex- 
citement, conducted as honorably and bravely as any people 
would in like circumstances. They enjoyed one singular advan- 
tage in a time so trying, viz. the inspiring j)rescnce of two of the 
most distinguished leaders and politicians of that period, the Hon- 
orable Joiin Hancock and Samuel Adams. The militia company 
under Captain l*arker were j)rompt, patriotic, and courageous to 
admiration. That a single company should parade, in an opposing 
attitude, directly in the face of nearly one thousand of the picked 
troops of Circat Hritain, places their courage and firmness beyond 
all controversy. Some may think they were not so wise in coun- 
cil, as fearless in danger, — not so |)rudent in action, as zealous in 
patriotism. l>ut while we cheerfully give them the highest j)raise 
for their courage and love of country and of liberty, we deny that 
t/icij rttunud the fire of the Jlritish at the time. We think it 
quite pnssiljle that the firing on the l>ritish in their retreat from 
Concord, and in the afternoon, in which the Lexington company 
were active, may have been blended, in the minds of some, with 
the scenes of the morning. This method and time of returning 
the fire of the British has been so often narrated, perhaps with- 
out needful distinctions, that the present inhabitants may have 
connected the two periods, and even been wrought into the be- 
lief that the British fire was actually returned behind the church 
in the morning. 

We will grant that after the British had formed at the western 
extremity of the parade ground, and actually taken up their march 
towards Concord, a man, behind the tavern of Mr. Buckman, 
did actually discharge his gun towards the British. But this was 
at such a distance as to have no eflbct, nor even to be heard by 
the enemy. We will grant further that, " some very few " of the 
militia, being in a state of high excitement and confusion, after 
till liritish had gone on their way, did fire ofi' their guns from 
behind the wall, in the |)laces of their conceahnent. But in 
our opinion this is nothing to the pur|)ose, and does not afl'ect 
the question at issue, though it gives opportunity for perplexing 
it. In this way we account for the testimonies, on oath, of a 
number of the inhabitants of Lexington, to a fact which, we be- 
lieve, never existed. The reasons of our unbeliefshall be assigned. 
To this confused and undefined state of things, we may trace 
the reports and publications in England and elsewhere, that the 



27 

militia company of Lexington fired upon the British, on the pa- 
rade, in the morning. Considering the disposition of the British 
and of the tories at that time, it is not wonderful that such re- 
ports should have been circulated, and every advantage seized 
upon to criminate the Americans. It is well known that Gener- 
al Gage published an oflicial account of the action soon after it 
occurred. In this account he speaks of the Americans as the 
aggressors, — as returning the fire, &c. It was soon after pub- 
lished in England, and English historians have received his state- 
ments ascorrect. Many American writers have been mere copy- 
ists of the English, and are equally erroneous. No one in this 
vicinity, not even the most strenuous advocate for the " battle 
of Lexington," believes his official account, or those taken from 
it, to be true.* 

As to the blood said to have been seen in the street, and ad- 
duced as evidence that a Briton was wounded by the fire of an 
American ; if blood were really seen, it is highly probable it was 
the blood of the dead and wounded of Captain Parker's company, 
who were carried over that spot of ground into the meeting-house 
or tavern immediately after the British troops had marched to- 
wards Concord.f 

But what trifles these are, compared with the great question in 
dispute ! Let us, however, suppose that Captain Parker had 
ordered his company to return the British fire, and they had 
obeyed. Such a fire from nearly forty men, into a compact 
body of at least eight hundred, must have had great and fatal 
effect. Happy for Lexington they did not attempt such an une- 
qual combat. Had the British officers supposed that guns were 
fired at them, there can scarcely be a doubt, the whole village 
would have been laid in ashes, and many of the inhabitants put 
to death. At that time they were haughty and self confident, 
and did not suppose the Americans would really fight, as they 
soon witnessed to their cost and confusion. 

We now proceed to adduce the reasons above promised. 

The present pretensions and claims of the citizens of Lexing- 
ton, respecting the returning of the fire of the British troops, on 

* Governor Gage seems not to believe this official account himself, for 
he subsequently transmitted a circumstantial account of the affair to Gover- 
nor Trumbull, in which it is said, "There was no firing of the provincials till 
they had jumped over the wall." Notwithstanding it was the intention of 
the British to prove tiiere was firing on the part of the Americans. — /7j>- 
torical Collections. 

\ See Wood's deposition in the sequel. 



• ' 28 

llw morning of ihc l9thof April, '75, were never made nor heard 
of, until about forty-eight years after the events took place. 
Notliini; of the kind was thought of, till very lately, by any per- 
sons in ilie neig;hbouring towns, who ha\e lived in the vicinity of 
Lexington ever since the 19ih of April, *75, and have heard the 
story often related by persons best accjuainted with the facts. 
Several men have indeed had the impression that there was some 
firing by the Lexington militia ; but this impression was evident- 
ly made by the facts alx)ve related, throui;h the medium of Eng- 
lish w ritcrs. ISot a word or suggestion was heard of the return- 
ing of the fire of the British troops by the militia. It is titer c- 
fore incrcdihlc that it was a fact. 

This argument against the claims of ^Lexington appears to us 
invincible ; and it is confirmed by the negative testimony of the 
Rev. Messrs. Clark, Cooke, Cushing, Woodward, Morrill, Cum- 
mings, and Adams, in their anniversary sermons, preached at 
Lexington on the occasion. They speak on the subject with 
high feeling and interest, but do not intimate that the militia re- 
turned the fire.* It does not appear to us possible, that such 
uniform and entire silence could have been held, had they known 
or even believed it to be a fact, that the militia company did re- 
turn the fire of the British on the spot where the massacre was 
perpetrated. And they must have known it, had it been a truth. 

The oaths of Captain Parker and others before the Provin- 
cial Congress, a few days after the event, contain the same neg- 
ative testimony. Tiiey testify, that they did not first fire upon 
the British. But why not testify that they did return the Brit- 
ish fire, as well as testify that they did not fire first, if both were 
true? We are aware of the manner in which they are excused 
for not saying more, when under oath, on the supposition they 
knew more, as now it is pretended. 

It is well known that the British officers endeavoured to apol- 
ogize for their violent conduct by affirming that the Americans 
first fired upon them. To deride the question, Captain Parker 
and others were called before the Provincial Congress, and there 
made oath that they did not fire upon the British troops before 
the British fired upon them. And they then knew perfectly 
well, whether they returned the fire. Was it dangerous, dishon- 

• Tho Rev. Mr. Tlnrk hn«« sni<l somrthinfj in liis .Varrn/iVf, that appears 
to inilitaii^ njrjiinst llii.s iirisertioii, wliich will bo iiolicod in thoscqnol. \^'c 
would tliiit « \<ry tliinfT sfn'iild liiivi- H.-^ proper wri;;l)t. 



29 

orable, and criminal then to resist unto blood ? And did this 
character attach to such conduct, till the war was ended, and 
for nearly half a century ? But the inhabitants of Lexington 
were willing the minute men and militia of Concord and adja- 
cent towns should sustain all the terrifying consequences of re- 
turning the fire of the British, and, for a long time, to let this 
pass through the world for truth.* 

We shall now bring forward a number of testimonies, which 
tend, directly or indirectly, to prove our assertions and support 
our claims on the subject under consideration. 

The Reverend and venerable Joseph Thaxter, chaplain at 
the late Bunker Hill celebration, in a letter to the Honorable 
John Keyes of Concord, dated Edgartown, February 24, 1825, 
after giving an account of the battle, at the north bridge in Con- 
cord, says, " As to fighting at Lexington, when the British 
marched up, I never heard or kne^v of any, until of late. I 
always understood that, on the alarm, a few had collected on the 
north side of the meeting-house. When the British came up 
and fired on them, killed several, and the rest fled. It was said 
at the time, that they did not return the fire. Much pains was 
taken by the British to prove that the Americans fired first. But 
it was, I believe, fully proved, that they did not fire a gun. At 
Concord Bridge the first spark was struck. It kindled a flame 
that never was extinguished, till the surrender of Cornwallis at 
Yorktown, which completed the glory of the United States. 
The present generation little know what we went through to es- 
tablish our Independence. As to a monument at Concord 
Bridge, I feel deeply interested. Posterity ought to know the 
spot where the first British blood was spilt." f 

In the sentiments of this gentleman, we learn the opinion and 
full belief of perhaps nine tenths of his contemporaries, who had 
any knowledge of the transactions and events of the 19th of April. 

We take this opportunity to notice and obviate an objection 
that has been made to an expression in the Circular of the Com- 
mittee of the Bunker Hill Association. They say that the ^?-s^ 
hlood was shed at Concord. Undoubtedly they meant British 
blood, which Mr. Thaxter expressly mentions. To understand 

* Colonel Barrett testified, at the time, that the fire was returned at Con- 
cord, and did not consider it " good policy to withhold the truth." See his 
deposition, page 17. 

•j- In all quotations we shall endeavour to follow the punctuation, italics, 
capitals, &c. of the originals. — Editor. 



no 

them in this sense is rational and candid. Every body knew that 
American blood was shed at Lexington, early in the morning; of 
the day on which, a few hours after, British blood was shed at 
Concord. With this construction, the expression of the Com- 
mittee is perfectly proper and correct. 

The Rev. Joseph Kstabrook of Athol, a native of Lexing- 
ton, in a letter to the minister of Concord, under date of March 
29th, 1826, writes as follows, — "After more than half a century, 
to the best of my recollection, 1 would inform you and others, 
that I stood in the ranks, on the parade, till Captain Parker or- 
dered us to disperse, and till the IJritish came nigh to us, and be- 
gan to fire upon us, when I left the ranks. At that time all was 
confusion and distress. I did not see any one of the Lexington 
company fire upon the British, nor was there any order for it, 
that I recollect, from our Captain. But from the statement of 
the Conmiittcc and the testimony of some worthy individuals, 
I believe a few guns did return the fire on the British troops, 
before they left the parade, where the company was placed, on 
that never to be forgotten morning." Here it is evident, the 
Reverend gentleman rests his belief of the firing of the militia wAo/- 
ly on the statements and testimonies of other persons, and those 
lately made, which we believe are not just. He neither saw nor 
heard of any firing on the l^ritish that morning by any of the 
company of which he was one, nor any orders for it. But he 
did hear his cajitain order the company to disperse, and did see 
the British fire upon them. Gentlemen who were at College 
with him, and often heard him tell the story, are ready to testify 
that he never gave them the idea of returning the British fire. 

In the narrative of the Rev. Mr. Clark, which accomj)anies his 
anniversary sennon, April 19, 1776, we find nothing that mili- 
tates against our position, except his opinion of the opening of the 
war between Great Britain and America, and one paragraph con- 
cerning the firing of the militia. He considers the violent and 
murderous assault of the British troops on the militia at Lexing- 
ton, as " the commencement of hostilities and the opening of 
the war." Taking into view the events of the day, as he some- 
times does, and especially those at Concord, there is evidently 
truth and propriety in his opinion. I]ut in limiting his ideas 
to tlie massacre at Lexington, we think he is far from being cor- 
rect. Some persons may suppose that the horrid massacre at 



31 

Boston, on the 5th of March, 1770, was the commencement of 
hostilities and the opening of the war. Certainly that wound 
was never healed, and that event very much accelerated the war. 
Besides, there seems to be some difficulty in forming an idea of 
hostility and battle, when one party only assaults ; it seems like 
one fighting alone. A violent attack, however, may be an im- 
portant step in bringing on mutual conflict. And this was really 
the case. The massacre at Lexington was followed, in a few 
hours, by a bloody battle at Concord. But had no outrage been 
committed at Lexington, the British could not have accomplish- 
ed their object at Concord without meeting resistance and fighting. 
This is proved by the facts, that resistance unto blood was ac- 
tually made, and the arn^ed men who made it had not then heard 
of the murder and bloodshed at Lexington. 

The paragraph in the narrative of the Rev. Mr. Clark, to which 
we have referred, is in the following words ; " In short, so far 
from Jii-ing first upon the king's troops, upon the most careful 
inquiry, it appears, that but very few of our people fired at all ; 
and even they did not fire, till, after being fired upon by the 
troops, they were wounded themselves, or saw others killed or 
wounded by them, and looked upon it as next to impossible for 
them to escape." If we understand the Reverend gentleman, he 
means to give this idea, that some very few of the wounded of 
the militia, who despaired of escape with life, did fire. But 
which way they fired, and at what, and how long after the fire of 
the assailants, or whether the British had any knowledge of their 
firing, all is left wholly in the dark. — These unhappy sufferers 
were in a state of high excitement and anguish : " at that time 
all was confusion and distress ; " and it is not probable they dis- 
charged their guns, if they did fire, in a manner to irritate or an- 
noy the British. We will not inquire how Mr. Clark, who was 
not on the spot, should know things, of which Mr. Estabrook, 
who was one of the militia company, had no knowledge. From 
this paragraph, however, we believe, has chiefly grown the 
important claim of returning the fire of the British, to the exclu- 
sion of what was done at Concord bridge. 

The Rev. Mr. Clark goes on to say ; " One circumstance more 
before the brigade quitted Lexington, I beg leave to mention, as 
what may give a farther specimen of the spirit and character of 
the officers and men of this body of troops. After the militia 
company were dispersed and the firing ceased, the troops drew 



32 

up and formed in a body on the common, Jircd a volley and 
gave three huzzas by way of triumph, and as expressive of the 
joi/ of VICTORY and the glorif of conc^uest! ! Of this transaction I 
was a witness, havinc;, at that time, a fair view of their motions, 
and being at the distance of not more tiian 70 or 80 rods from 
ihem." Our author continues — " Whether this step was hono- 
rary to the detachment, or agreeable to the rules of war — or how 
far it was expressive of bravery, heroism, and true military glory, 
for 800 disciplined troops of Great Britain, without notice or 
provocation, to fall upon CO or 70 undisciplined Americans, who 
neither opposed nor molested them, and murder some and dis- 
perse the rest, and then to give the shout and make the triumph 
of victory, is not for me to determine, Init must be submitted to the 
impartial world to judge. \\vLv'\n^ \.\\\\s vanquished the party at 
Lexington, iheiroo^s marched on for Concord, "&ic. A person 
reading such expressions and being unacquainted with the facts, 
might be induced to believe that there was at Lexington, that 
morning, a formal pitched battle. And yet some of his own words, 
the whole current of testimony, and the substance of the narrative, 
give very different ideas. In Mr. Clark's sermon in '76, on the 
occasion, he thus expresses himself; — "How shall I speak, or 
how describe the distress and horror of that aicful morn, that 
gloomy day '. Yonder field can witness the innocent blood of 
our brethren slain ! And from thence does their blood cry unto 
God for vengeance from the ground !" In his note on field he 
says, "the field, not of battle, but of murder and bloodshed, 
where our men were fired upon by the troops." From this sen- 
tence, no one would ever think of a battle, or firing on both 
sides, but only of a cruel and horrid massacre. We will not un- 
dertake to reconcile expressions apparently so contradictory. 

The monument in Lexington, erected "under the patronage 
and at the expense of the government of Massachusetts," ex- 
pressly to commemorate the scenes and the sufferers of the morn- 
ing of the 19th of April, '75, contains not a word of the re- 
turning of the fire of the British troops. Had it been a truth, 
and then believed, how could it have been omitted ! Nothing 
could have been recorded more to the honor of the deceased in 
respect to their patriotism and courage. This monument is 
without date, for what reason we are unable to say. But so 
much is evident, it had not then been discovered, that the fire of 
the British was first returned at Lexington. 



33 

In confirmation of our statement and claim, we adduce farther 
the Inscription on the brass cannon given by the Legislature 
to the Artillery company of Concord. "The Legislature of 
Massachusetts consecrate the names of Major John ButtricJc 
and Captain Isaac Davis, whose va.\or and example excited their 
fellow-citizens to a successful resistance of a superior number of 
British troops at Concord Bridge on the 19th of April, 1775, 
which was the beginning of a contest in arms, that ended in 
American- Independence." This inscription, it is believed on 
good evidence, was written by a distinguished patriot of that pe- 
riod, and approved by the Legislature. Will any one pretend 
there was a design to misrepresent facts? 

The inscription on the grave-stone of Colonel John Buttrick 
is also to our purpose. That part of it which was written by 
the late Governor Sullivan is thus; — "In memory of Colonel 
John Buttrick, who commanded the militia companies who made 
the first attack upon the British troops at Concord North Bridge, 
on the 19th of April, 1775. Having with patriotic firmness 
shared in the dangers which led to the American Independence, 
he lived to enjoy the blessings of it, and died May 16th, 1791, 
aged 60 years." What could have induced Governor Sullivan 
to propose and prepare such an inscription, if he did not then 
fully believe that the first return of the British fire was at Con- 
cord Bridge 1 There appears to have been but one opinion on 
the subject for almost half a century ; except those above recog- 
nised, which were chiefly foreign, and for the existence of 
which we have accounted. 

As late as 1818, Worcester^ s United States Gazetteer, under 
Concord, Mass. has these words ; — "In this town (Concord) 
the Provincial Congress met in 1774 ; and here was made the 
first resistance to the British, on the 19th of April, 1775." 

Nathan Brooks, Esq. of Concord, affirms, that in years past 
he has repeatedly heard Colonel William Munroe, of Lexington, 
relate the transactions of the 19th of April, '75, in that town; 
and that he never gave him the idea of resistance and firing by 
the militia. Had the Colonel known at the time that they did 
return the British fire, how is it possible that it should have 
gone entirely from his mhid for more than forty-eight years, and 
then come to him clear and plain, that some of the militia did 
return the fire of the British troops ? 

The Honorable Samuel Hoar, of Lincoln, who has lived near 
5 



34 

Lexiniilton all his days, and was at tlie fight in Concord, has of- 
ten said that he never heard of any firins; on the British, at Lex- 
ington, on the morning of the 19ih of April, '75, until within 
two or three years. How could a man of his opiioriunities, in- 
f)rmali()n, and character have been kept in ignorance so long, 
had It been a fact that tiie Britisli fire was returned by the 
niihlia of Lexington, as is now pretended ! 

The present aged clergyman of Concord was, at tiiat lime, a 
member of the University at Cambridge and was at Concord, 
while the College was there, and has had the charge of that peo- 
ple since November, 1178, and often heard related the interest- 
ing events at Concord and Lexington, by persons who were ac- 
tors and witnesses of them ; and he aflirms. '• that he never heard 
of the returning of the Hritish fire at Lexington, or the firing of 
any guns by the militia, when the Hritish iroops came up in the 
morning, until of late ; hut he always understood that the first re- 
turn of the British fire was at Concord north bridge." And this 
is tiie ligiit in wiiicli the late Secretary Bradford views the sub- 
ject in his History of Massachusetts, who doubtless obtained his 
information from records and documents in his office. 

The allidavils of a number of respectable gentlemen are as 
follows, viz. 

"I, JoiiM Richardson, of Newton, in the county of Middlrsex and 
Commonwealth of MassachiisotLs, of lawful aj^e, tlo testify and say, that I 
was at Le.\in<.'ton on the l!»tii of April, 1775; that no mention was then 
made, in my hearin<r, of the .Americans havin<r tired upon tiie JJritish, on the 
morninfj of that day, at Lexinfjlon ; — tlmt I have been personally accjuaint- 
cd with the people of Lexinfrton from that day to the j)resenl lime ; — that 
the events oftlie morniiifjf of that day at Lexington were the constant topic 
of conversation for a lonj,' time after ; — that I frequently heard individuals 
who were of Captain F'nrker's company relate the events of th.tt morninfr, 
and never l.eard that ("aptain I'arker's company, or any individual in it, fired 
upon the British on the morninir of that da}', until the visit of (icneral Lafay- 
ette to this country in It^'i't, with the exception of one {run, which was said 
to have been fired by Sohunon Hrown, while standinj^ in the back kitchen 
of the tavern, then owiumI by Buckman, now Merriam. as the British were 
passinp on towards Concord. JOHN RICILARDSON." 

Middlesex hp. June 2.")//i, 1H27. Then personally appeared the above 
named John Richardson and made oath, that the above atlidavit by him sub- 
scribed is true. Before mc, NATHAN BROOKS, Justice of the Peace. 



"1, Samiti. Hartwem,, of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex and 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful ajre, do testify and say, that I 
have been acquainted with the iidiahitants of Lexinpfton, and particularly 
with many who were of Ca|)tain Parker's company on the li'tn of April, 
177o, to the present time, and for many years from said time had frequent 
conversations with people of Lexington concerning the event.s of the morn- 
ing of that «lay at Lexinpton, and <lo not recollect that any of the people of 
Lexington ever stated or pretended, that there was any firing by Captain 



35 

Parker's company on the British, on the morning of that day, until within a 
few years si' ce, except the firing of one gun, after the British had turned 
and were passing off the common. SAMUEL HARTWELL." 

Middlesex ss. July \9th, 1827. Then the above named Samuel Hartwell 
personally appeared and made oath, that the above affidavit by him sub- 
scribed is true. Before me, NATHAN BROOKS, Justice of the Peace. 



"I, Robert Douglass, of Portlan;!, in the county of Cumberland in 
the state of Maine, aged sixty-eight years, — do testify and say, that on 
the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, 1 was at my father's house in Woburn, 
in tlie county of Middlesex -and colony of Massachusetts Bay. On that 
morning, about one hour before day-break, a man rode up to my father's 
door, and knocked loudly, and said 'There is an alarm, — the British are 
coming out; and if there is any soldier in the house, he must turn out 
and repair to Lexington as soon as possible.' Who that man was, I never 
knew. I immediately arose, took my gun and equipments, and started for 
Lexington. In going by Deacon Obediah Kendall's house (about half a 
mile from my fatlier's) I saw a light, and went into the house ; I there found 
a Mr. Sylvanus Wood nearly ready to go; we then went to Lexington to- 
gether, where we arrived about half an hour before sun rise ; we went into 
Buckman's tavern and inquired the news about the alarm. Some said the 
British were coming ; others said they were not coming. In about fifteen 
minutes after we entered the tavern, a person came to the door and said 
the British were within half a mile. I then heard an officer (who I after- 
wards learned was Captain Parker) call his drummer and order him to beat 
to arms. I paraded with the Lexington company between the meeting- 
house and the tavern, and then marched to the common near the road that 
leads to Bedford ; there we were ordered to load our guns. Some of the 
company observed, ' Tliere are so few of us, it would be folly to stand here.' 
Captain Parker replied, 'The first man who offers to run shall be shot 
down.' The Britisii soon came in sight, with a field officer in front, having 
his sword drawn; — the British troops then gave three cheers and ran to- 
wards us. The Lexington company began to break off on the left wing, 
and soon all dispersed. I think no American was killed or wounded by the 
first fire of the British, unless Captain Parker might have been. No one of 
Captain Parker's company fired on the British, to my knowledge, that morn- 
ing, and I think I should have known it, had they fired. I knew but two 
men of the Lexington company, and I never heard any person say that the 
Americans fired on the British that morning at Lexington. 

" After the British marched toward Concord, I saw eight men who had 
been killed, among whom were Captain Parker* and a Mr. Porter of Wo- 
burn. ROBERT DOUGLASS." 

Cumberland ss. May 3d, 1827. Then the above named Robert Douglass 
personally appeared, and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the 
above written affidavit. 

Before me, JOSIAH PIERCE, Jr., Justice of the Peace. 

Mr. Douglass was a major in the regiment to which Woburn belonged in 
1791, and is now a respectable and intelligent citizen of Portland- 



"I, Sylvanus Wood, of Woburn, in the county of Middlesex and Com-> 
monwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy-four years, do testify and say, that 
on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, I was an inhabitant of Woburn 
living with Deacon Obediah Kendall ; that about an liour before the break 
of day on said morning, I heard the Lexington bell ring ; and fearing there 
W£is difficulty there I immediately arose, took my gun, and with Robert 
Douglass went in haste to Lexington, which was about three miles distant. 

* It is presumed the witness meant Jonas Parker, as the Captain was not 
killed. 



36 

When I arrived there, I inquired of Captain Parker, the commander of the 
Loxinirton rompany, what was llio uvws. Parker told nie he did not know 
what to believe, for a urin had come up iitfoiit lialf an hour betore, and in- 
formed him thai the British troops were not on the road But while we 
were lalkinsj. a inessenijer came up and told the Captain that the British 
troops were within half a mile. Parker immediately turned to his drummer, 
VVillam Diman, and ordered iiim to heat to arms, — which was done. Cap- 
tain Parker tliL-n asked me if I would parade with his company. I told him 
I would. Parker then asked me if the youni; man with ine would parade. 
I spoke to Doujrlass, and he said he would follow the Capt;i;n and me. By 
this time many of tlie company had gathered around the Captain at tlie hear- 
in!; of the drum, where we stood, wiiich was abotit halfway between t le meet- 
ing-house and Huckman's tavern. Parker says to his men, » Kvery man of 
you, who is equipped, follow me, — an i those of you who are not equipped, 
po mto the meeting-houso and furnish yourselves fiom tlie magazine, 
and immedi.itely join the company.' Parker led tiiose of us who were 
equipped to the north end of Lexington Common, near tlio Bedford road, 
and formed us in single file. I was stationed about in tlie centre of the 
company. Wliile we were standing, I left, niy place, and went from one 
end of the company to the other, and counted every man who was paraded, 
and the wlude numlier was ihirtif-riffht and no more.* Just as I had finished 
and got back to my place, I perceived the British troops had arrived on the 
spot, between the meeting-house and Buckman's, near where Captain Par- 
ker stood wlicn he first led off his men. The British troops immediately 
wheeled so as to cut offthose, who had gone into the meeting-house. The 
British troops approached us rapidly in platoons, with a General officer on 
horse-bark at their head. The officer came up to witiiin about two rods of 
the centie of the company, whore I stood. — The first platoon being about 
tlirce rods distant. They there halted. The officer then swung his sword, 
and said, ' Lay down your arms, you damn'd rebels, or you are all dead men 
— fire.' Some guns were fired by the British at us from the first platoon, 
but no person was killed or hurt, being probably charged only with powder. 
Just at this time. Captain Parker ordered every man to take care of himself. 
'J'he company immediately dispersed; and while the company was dispers- 
ing and leapinir over the wall, tiie second platoon of the British fired, aid kill- 
ed some of our men. There was not a gun fired by any of Captain Parker's 
company within my knowleilge. I was so situated that I must liavc known 
it, had any thing of the kind taken place before a total dispersion of our 
company. I have been inti.nately acqua\ntcd with the inhabitants of 
Lrxmgton, and particularly with those of Captain Parker's company, 
and, with (me exception, I have never hi ard any of ihom say or pre- 
tend that tliere was any firing at the British from Parkqr's company, or any 
individual in it, until within a year or two. — One member of the company 
told me, many years since, that after Parker's company had dispersed, and 
he wa.s at some distance, he gave them ' the guts of his gun.' 

"After the British had begun their march to Concord, I returned to the 
common, and found Robert Roe and Jonas Parker lying dead at tlie north 
corner of the common, near the Bedford road, and others dead and wounded. 
I assisted in carrying the dead into tlie meeting-house. I then proceeded 
towards Concord with my gun, and when \ came near the tavi-rn in Le.K- 
ington, no.v kept by .Mr. Viles, I saw a British siddier seated on the bank 
by the road. I went to him with my gun in readiness to fire, if he should 
offer to resist. I took his gun, cutlass, and equipments from him. I then 
proceeded with him towards [..cxington, — and meeting a Mr. Welch and 
another person, I delivered the [)risoner to th'-m. 

" After Welch arrived in Lexington with the prisoner, I understood that 
another prisoner was taken by Mr. John FlaL'g, and that they were conduct- 
ed to Burlington, and put under the care of Captain Jnmes Reed. I be- 

* This does not hiclude those who went into the meeting-house and were 
"cutoff." 



37 

lleve that the soldier who surrendered his gun to me was the first prisoner 
taken bjr the Americans on that day. SYLVANUS WOOD." 

Middlesex ss. Jiuic \7th, 1826. Then the above named Sylvanus Wood 
personally appeared, and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit- 
Be fore me, NATHAN BROOKS, Justice of the Peace. 

The taking of British prisoners has been mentioned by some 
as evidence of a battle at Lexington in the morning. We 
firmly beHeve that not one was captured, that morning, when 
fighting or making any resistance. All who were taken at Lex- 
ington, in the morning, were willing captives. They designedly 
separated themselves from their companions, in order to be 
taken. They preferred this method to desertion, which would be 
attended with danger. One of the prisoners, who lived and died 
in Concord, informed one of us, that he got away from the Brit- 
ish, that day, in such a manner. 

We come now to the affidavits and depositions of a large num- 
ber of men before the Provincial Congress, then sitting in Water- 
town, relative to the events and circumstances of the morning of the 
19th of April, '75. These depositions were all given under oath. 

We first adduce Captain Parker's testimony, the whole of it, 
which is very concise. Of the otlier testimonies we shall cite 
only such parts as affect the question at issue. 

"I, JoH.\ Parker, of lawful age, and Commander of the Militia in Lex- 
ington, do testify and declare, that on the 19th instant, in the Morning, about 
One of the Clock, being informed that there were a number of Regular 
Officers riding^ up and down the Road, stopping and insulting the People 
as tliey passed the Road ; and also was informed, that a Number of Regular 
Troops were on their inarch from Boston, in order to take the Province 
Stores at Concord ; ordered our militia to meet on the Common in said Lex- 
ington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor med- 
dle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they 
should insult or molest u-, and upon their sudden approach, I immediately 
ordered our Militia to disperse and not to fire ; immediately said troops made 
their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon and killed Eight of our 
party, without receiving any provocation therefor from us." 

Lexington, ^/ipril 25, 1775. 

Elijah Saunderson testifies, " That after orders were given to fire by 
the British officers, immediately, the Regulars shou'ed aloud, ran and fired 
on the Lexinjiton company, which did not fire a gun before the Regulars 
discharged on them. Eight of the Ijcxington company were killed, while 
they were dispersing, and at a considerable distance from each other, and 
many wounded,— and although a Spectator, I narrowly escaped with my life." 

Lexington, ,/fpril 25, 1775. 

Thomas Price Willard testifies, " that the Regulars ran till they came 
within abouteight or nine rods of about an Hundred of the Militia of said Lex- 
ington, who were collected on said Common, at which time the Mditia of said 
Lexington dispersed ; then the Officers made a Huzza, and the private Sol- 
diers succeeded them: Directly after this an Officer rode before the Regu- 
lars to the other Side of the body and hallooed after the Militia of said Lex- 
ington, and said, ' Lay down your Arms, damn you, why don't you lay down 



38 

your Arms :' — And tlmt there was not a Gun fired till the Militia ofsa.d 
Lexing^ton wore dispersed ; and further saith not." 
L/txnurlon, ,}pril '2^^, 1775. 

"We, l,Kvi Mf-ap and Lkvi Harrington, both of Lexington, in tlie 
county of Midillosex, and colony of Massacliusetts Bay in New England, and 
of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on the I'Jth of .April, being on Lex- 
ington common as spectators, we saw a large body of regular troops marching 
up towards the l^exington company; and some of the regulars on horses, 
whom we look to be officers, fired a pistol or two on the Lexington com- 
pany ir/ii h teen then ilispersins^. These were the first guns that were fired 
and they were immediately followed by several vollies from the regulars, 
by which eight of our men, belonging to said company, were killed and sev- 
eral wounde I. «5 . . 5LKVIMKAI). 

issvornioDy ^ LEVI HARHLNGTON." 

Lexington, Jlpril 23, 177.'>. 

Nathaniel Mtllikkn and thirty-three others. — " We further testify 
and declare, ihul about 5 o'clock in the morning, hearing our drum beat, we 
proccedt'd towards the Parurlc, and soon fouixl thai a large body of troops 
were miirchin;.' towards us, some of our company coming up to the Parade, 
and oth•T^; hail reached it ; iit which lime the company began to disperse ; 
whilst our Backs were turned on the Troops, we were fired on by them, and 
a number of our Men were instantly killed and woimded — not a Gun was 
fired by any Person in our company on the Regulars, to our knowledge, 
before they fired on us, and they continued firing until we bad all made our 
escape." 

Lexington, April, 1775. 

The next deposition is by fourteen persons, and as follows ; — " We fur- 
ther testify and say, that about 5 o'clock in tlie morning we attended the 
beat of our drum, and were formed on the Parade ; — we were faced towards 
the regulars, then marching up towards us, and .some of our company were 
coming to the Parade with their backs towards tlie troops ; and others on 
the parade began to disperse, when the regulars fired on the company be- 
fore a gun was fired by any of our company, on tJiem ; they killed eight of 
our company, and wounded several, and continued tlieir fire until we had all 
made our escape." 

Lexington, .ipril 25, 1775. 

TiMOTiiv Smith, at the same date, testifies ; — "I saw a large body of 
troops marching up towards the Lexington company then dispersing, and 
likewise saw the regular troops fire on th • Lexington company before the 
latter fired a gun ; I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at me, 
and put me in immineiil danger of losing my life. I soon returned to the 
common, and saw eight of the men, who were killed, and lay bleeding at a 
considerable distance from each other, and several wounded ; and further 
saith not." 

The following deposition is from a Hritisli soldier, taken like 
those before mentioned. 

" I, John Bateman, belonging to the fifty-second regiment, commanded 
by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning, on the l!Hh of April, was in tlie 

Earty marching for Conconl, being at Lexington, in the county of .Middlesex, 
ein" nigh the meeting-house in said Lexington, there was a small party of 
men gathered together in that |)lace, when our said troo|)s marched by ; and 
I testify and declare, that I heard the word of command given to fire, and 
Bome of the said troops did fire, and I saw one of the said party lie dead on 
the ground nigh the said meeting-house ; and I testify that I never beard 
any of tlie inhabitants so much as fire a gun on said troops. 

(Signed) JOHN BATEMAN." 

In reference to this and the preceding witnesses of Lexington, 
it appears to us very reasonable, to inquire why they did not 



39 

" say further, ^^ if truth required or permitted it ? Why not say 
we saw and heard several guns fired on the British after they had 
fired on us ? * If this were then a known fact, we know not how 
they could, consistently, stop at saying they did not fire on the 
British j^rsf. If any other persons, not of the militia company, 
returned the fire of the British troops, these witnesses, it seems 
to us, must have known it. There was no danger in testifying 
that they fired after the British had fired upon them, and killed 
a number. It would have been considered brave and patriotic, 
and they would have been applauded and honored, thoug'i it 
might have been thought rash in so small a company. Now 
the inhabitants of Lexington, and many of the witnesses living, 
are of this opinion, and appear to think highly of returning the 
fire of the British troops, on the morning of the 19th of April, 
'75 ; and they have endeavoured to represent this to the world 
as a fact. We have a right to presume that the witnesses could 
not in truth swear to it at that time. How they have acquired 
additional evidence, in a long course of years, is not for us to say. 
We shall close our evidence in support of our claim by an ex- 
tract from the address of the Provincial Congress to the inhabi- 
tants of Great Britain, grounded on the above testimonies. 

" Watertoivn, April 26, J 775. By the clearest Depositions relative to this 
Transaction it will appear, that on the Night preceding the 19th of April 
instant, a Body of the King's Troops, under command of Colonel Smith, 
were secretly landed at Cambridge, with an apparent Design to take or de- 
stroy the Military and other Stores provided for the Defence of the Colony, 
and deposited at Concord — that some Inhabitants of the Colony, on the 
Night aforesaid, whilst travelling peaceably on the Road between Boston and 
Concord, were seized and greatly abused by armed Men, who appeared to 
be Officers of General Gage's Army — that the town of Lexington by these 
means was alarmed and a company of the Inhabitants mustered on the Oc- 
casion — that the regular Troops on their way to Concord marched into said 
Town of Lexington, and the said Company, on their approach, began to dis- 
perse — that notwithstanding this the Regulars rushed on with great Vio- 
lence, and first began Hostilities by firing on said Lexington company, where- 
by they killed Eight and wounded several others — that the Regulars contin- 
ued their fire until those of said company, who were neither killed nor 
wounded, had made their escape — that Colonel ^mith with the detachment 
then marched to Concord, where a number of Provincials were again fired 
on by the Troops, two of them killed and several wounded, before the Pro- 
vincials fired on them — and that thi se hostile measures of the Troops pro- 
duced an Engagement that lasted through the Day; — in which many of 
the Provincials and more of the regular Troops were killed and wounded." 

It is evident from this address, that the Provincial Congress 
did not consider the war commenced, or that any battle or en- 
gagement had taken place, until the fire of the British troops 

* See Colonel Barrett's deposition, before referred to, for a different man- 
ner of testifying. 



40 

was returned at Concord. And from all the testimony it seems 
certain, that if there was a battle at Lexington on the 19th of 
April, 1775, Colonel Munroe, the only surviving officer of the 
company eng;ac;ed in it, Reverend Joseph Estabrook, Major Rob- 
ert Douglass, iMr. Sylvanns Wood, and otlicrs of the company, 
were wholly ignorant of it, until, more tiian forty years after- 
wards, they were informed of it by others. 

From the preceding extract, depositions, and testimonies, we 
are convinced that ("apt.iin Parker ordered his company to dis- 
perse, on the near approach of the IJiiiish troop'^, that they 
miglit not be in a situation exposed and provoking to the Brit- 
ish ; — that though they did not obey promptly and expeditious- 
ly, as was their duty, ihey iccre actiinlhj dispersing, when the 
British troops first fired upon them; — and that then those who 
were able made their escape as quickly as possible. It appears 
to us highly probable, that, had the order of Captain Parker been 
instantly obeyed, there would have been no blood shed at that 
time and place. 

We leave it to the public to trace and mark the discrepancies in 
the testimonies given in 1775, and those given in 1824 and 1825. 
We will retain a charitaUIe opinion of the integrity of witnesses 
at both periods. But we are full in the opinion that there is 
error somewhere. There are -inconsistencies, if not contradic- 
tions, which we cannot reconcile. We still firmly believe, as 
the conclusion from tiie whole, and what seems to us loo plain 
to be seriously denied, that in truth and all propriety of language, 
the militia company of Lexington did nut return the fire of the 
British troops, on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, and 
that the military companies at Concord, commanded by Colonel 
James Harrett, and led on by Major John Buttrick, did immedi- 
ately return the fire of the 13riiish troops, that day at the IS'orth 
Bridge.* This conclusion appears to us just and fair ; and this 
is the result at which we have aimed. It will not be henceforth 
denied, we trust, that at that time and place the first British 
blood was shed at the commencement of the American Revolution. 



* Some years after the lOtli of April, '75, the North Bridge was moved 
low»'r down the river, and the road discontinued. There is now no open 
road tu the spot where tlie tight coniuicnced. 



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